Raleigh, N.C. — Gov. Pat McCrory on Thursday named the commanders of three North Carolina law enforcement agencies under his control.

McCrory named Col. William Grey to lead the State Highway Patrol, FBI agent Gregory Baker to head the Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement and Clayton Police Chief Glen Allen as chief of the State Capitol Police.

"We are indebted to these brave men and women who put on the uniform every day and to their families," McCrory said, calling law enforcement the "fine line between our freedom and our safety."

Grey, 52, of Cary, has been with the Highway Patrol for 22 years, including a stint as chief of its special operations unit, according to McCrory, who said Gray "understands leadership by example."

The governor cited Trooper Michael Potts, who was shot last month while making a traffic stop in Durham, as an example of the dangers law enforcement officers face in their daily duties. He said he plans to invite Potts to the Executive Mansion for steak and lobster dinner once the trooper's jaw heals from the shooting.

"I'm proud of the black and gray," McCrory said of the Highway Patrol. "We're going to bring pride to that uniform across this state and among all the personnel."

The agency has seen numerous officers resign, face discipline or be fired in recent years for infractions ranging from profiling young women for traffic stops and animal abuse to drunken driving and having sex on duty.

The State Capitol Police also was scarred recently when acting chief Tony Asion and another officer were fired amid an internal investigation of outside employment by officers on the force. Gray has served as acting Capitol Police chief in recent weeks.

"The demands of a law enforcement officer can be overwhelming at times, and we appreciate the commitment it takes to provide loyal service to this state," McCrory said, adding that he expects all officers to "uphold the agency's highest standards and give us your best."

"People are looking at men and women in uniform for respect, and we will follow through with that," he said.

Baker, 49, of Raleigh, has served with the FBI in Raleigh, Charlotte and Washington, D.C., and has worked closely with local law enforcement agencies, which the governor said is a key role for ALE.

McCrory said he wants ALE to target underage drinking and drug use, calling it "one of the most serious issues in this state and our nation." He said he also wants more attention on "the cartel issues" but didn't elaborate.

Allen has headed the Clayton Police Department for seven years and was Henderson police chief before that.

McCrory credited the Capitol Police for alerting authorities to a January fire in a computer closet in a Department of Administration building. He said his proposed budget calls for adding officers to the force.

State Supreme Court Justice Mark Martin swore in Grey, along with Lt. Col. Gary Bell, 50, of Raleigh, as deputy commander of the Highway Patrol and patrol Lt. Col. Billy Clayton, 46, of Burlington. Bell served as the patrol's acting commander since January, when Col. Michael Gilchrist retired.

McCrory said Baker and Allen need to finish up at their current jobs before they can be sworn in for their new positions on May 1.

Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

fruhmenschen2Mar 28, 2013

February 22, 2013FBI agents caught sexting and dating drug dealersDating drug dealers, harassing ex-boyfriends with naked pictures, and pointing guns at pet dogs: these were just a few of the offences committed recently by serving FBI agents, according to internal documents.The US provided officers from the Egyptian secret police with training at the FBI, despite allegations that they routinely tortured detainees and suppressed political opposition.

By Raf Sanchez, Washington

Disciplinary files from the Bureau's Office of Professional Responsibility record an extraordinary range of transgressions that reveal the chaotic personal lives of some of America's top law enforcers.

One male agent was sacked after police were called to his mistress's house following reports of domestic incident. When officers arrived they found the agent "drunk and uncooperative" and eventually had to physically subdue him and wrestle away his loaded gun.

A woman e-mailed a "nude photograph of herself to

stymieindurhamMar 28, 2013

". . . . without ties to the Republican party."================================================================And what party are they, as if it should matter?

stormtrooper76Mar 28, 2013

gotogirlMar 28, 2013

RelicMar 28, 2013

"These are well thought out appointments which do not indicate the strong political favoritism that usually is so present in these matters."

I agree. Baker as an FBI agent and Allen coming from City Police are true "outsiders" without ties to the Republican party.

RelicMar 28, 2013

Congratulations to all three. I've had the pleasure of knowing two of the three for quite some time and they'll bring a lot of knowledge and ethics to the jobs. Look for NC State Capitol Police to be Internationally Accredited within three years.

thinkb4uspeakplzMar 28, 2013

Congrats Col. Grey!!!! Earned and deserved!!! Finally a spine in the lead!

RelicMar 28, 2013

"I merely said where are the women in these appointments,"

Already working as Chiefs of larger agencies in the state (Morehead City, Raleigh, Cary, etc.) Next question?

lavjtMar 28, 2013

@Singlemalt: First of all there is nothing to get over and secondly I did not say nor suggest there was discrimination, I merely said where are the women in these appointments, you can interpret that anyway you want to. I do believe I am entitled to form the opinion I want. What is funny, is if these appointments were made by someone you guys don't like, the comments would be quite different even if these people are qualified which know one suggested they were not. If you have a problem with my post, skip over it next time!

SinglemaltMar 28, 2013

lavjt, get over it. These are well thought out appointments which do not indicate the strong political favoritism that usually is so present in these matters.

Just because there was not a woman at the ready now for an appointment does not suggest an inference of gender bias or discrimination.